A method for in-situ quantification of oxygen in oil using fast neutron activation analysis

Artikel i vetenskaplig tidskrift, 2004

The feasibility of an experimental methodology for in-situ quantification of oxygen in bulk oil using fast neutron activation analysis (FNAA) has been studied. The method was applied for determination of oxygen in 100 ml (~90 g) rapeseed oil. The amount of oxygen in the rapeseed oil using the in-situ FNAA was estimated to 10.6 ± 2.6 weight %. Using cyclic fast neutron activation analysis (cFNAA), the amount of oxygen in the oil was determined in average 9.9 ± 0.4 weight %. Based on Monte Carlo calculations on water, the optimal radius and height of a cylindrical container where the activity is distributed through stirring of the water would be about 10 cm and 44 cm, respectively. These dimensions give a volume of about 14 liters, which is suitable for any type of oil. The accuracy in the in-situ FNAA can be increased by a more precise determination of oxygen in rapeseed oil in the beginning of a dynamic process using cFNAA or alternatively by a better background subtraction.